SixDegrees.org partners with George Mason University to support families, students

SixDegrees.org hosted a Building Kits by Kevin Bacon activation on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus on July 19, bringing together more than 100 volunteers to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits for students and families across Northern Virginia.

The event, put on by SixDegrees.org, a Fairfax, Virginia-based nonprofit founded by actor Kevin Bacon, brought together George Mason faculty and staff, alumni, community members, and local nonprofits. 

"Action is hope," Bacon told attendees, thanking them for turning their time and effort into tangible support for others.

The partnership grew out of conversations about the Patriot Pantry and the challenges many students face because of food insecurity, said Stacy Huston, chief executive officer of SixDegrees.org. "George Mason is doing such a wonderful job on campus with these resources. It seemed like a natural partner." 

The collaboration extends beyond the July event. George Mason global and community health professor Ali Weinstein and SixDegrees.org are conducting a research project examining how providing tangible forms of support—such as mental health kits—may affect both the people receiving assistance and the volunteers providing it.

George Mason President Gregory Washington said the partnership reflects the university's commitment to supporting students in ways that extend beyond academics. "At George Mason, we know that student success extends beyond the classroom,” Washington said. “Partnering with SixDegrees.org was an easy decision because we share a commitment to supporting students' well-being."

Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell said that partnerships like this reflect University Life's commitment to fostering connection, belonging, and community engagement. “When universities and community organizations work together, we can make a meaningful difference while building relationships that extend well beyond a single day of service,” Pascarell said.

The event will have an immediate impact on the George Mason community. While most of the meal kits will be distributed by Food for Others throughout Fairfax County, a portion will remain at George Mason to support students through the Patriot Pantry.

Volunteers also assembled 400 mental health kits in partnership with Find Your Anchor. The kits contain practical resources, messages of encouragement, and information designed to support someone experiencing emotional distress and to encourage them to seek additional help. The kits will be distributed to George Mason students throughout the year at mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention awareness events.

Rachel Wernicke, George Mason's chief mental health officer, said the kits complement the university's broader efforts to support student well-being. "Find Your Anchor is an organization dedicated to supporting people who may be impacted by suicide by offering hope and a reminder that they are not alone.  This initiative aligns closely with Mason’s suicide prevention efforts,” Wernicke said.

Huston said she hopes the partnership with George Mason will encourage other organizations and communities to pursue similar collaborations. "Stories don’t just inform; they also inspire. You might see what's happening at George Mason, and another community might say, 'What would it look like for us to do that here?'"